Ex-Jets C Nick Mangold unsure about future, 'in football purgatory'

Former Jets C Nick Mangold, who sat out the 2017 season, has not decided on playing in 2018.

A future Hall of Famer and Jets ring of honor member, Mangold was released last offseason by New York after an injury-plagued 2016 season. He has not played since.

A big reason for that is that Mangold’s foot has continued to bother him. He never felt healthy enough to play in 2017, but he is leaving the door open for a return.

Appearing on The Michael Kay Show on Thursday, Mangold said he is “in football purgatory.”

“I’m not up and I’m not down. I’m somewhere in between, all over the place,” the 34-year-old explained. “My foot is starting to feel better. I’m starting to get back into things. Is this something I still want to do? I don’t know where I am.”

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That foot injury lingered in 2016 and Mangold was unable to play to the Hall of Fame level he was once at. Now healthier than he was a year ago, Mangold is not sure whether or not he is ready to give up the game.

If healthy, Mangold may garner some interest for teams needing a center or a possible guard, but do not expect the Jets to be willing to bring him back as they look to get younger on the offensive line.

Mangold was drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft out of Ohio State. From then up until 2016, he was a cornerstone and key cog on the offensive line, earning seven Pro Bowl trips and two First-Team All-Pro selections.

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